JFK on church-state separation

We remember how much John F. Kennedy did for those who needed freeing from segregation. We should also remember how much he did to fight religious prejudice, showing that a Catholic could retain his faith but not take orders from a pope.

Kennedy believed in the American principle of separation of church and state. This principle is under attack by many on the Religious Right, who deny that it is a constitutional principle and who attempt to alter the meaning of the First Amendment. Therefore, we should read Kennedy's statement:

"I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute ... where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference; and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the president who might appoint him or the people who might elect him. ... where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials; and where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all."

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JFK on church-state separation

We remember how much John F. Kennedy did for those who needed freeing from segregation. We should also remember how much he did to fight religious prejudice, showing that a Catholic could retain his